Main Menu

Hawley's response to Cuomo's State of the State: More tax cuts, please

Submitted by Howard B. Owens on January 8, 2014 - 7:27pm

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is responding to the governor’s 2014 State of the State address by challenging him to deliver the tax relief he has promised. Hawley wants to see the governor actually deliver on his rhetoric to bring significant tax relief to upstate New York families.

“It is normal for politicians to talk about tax relief in an election year, but usually, the so-called relief that is delivered is not enough to give our middle-class families the help they need,” Hawley said. “If the governor is the leader he claims to be, he will pass a tax-relief package that takes money from Albany’s special interests and puts it in the pockets of Upstate New York’s families. Also, the governor needs to deliver on an unfulfilled promise to pass mandate relief for our counties and municipalities, which would help lower property taxes.”

In addition to calling for tax relief, Hawley renewed his pledge to fight for the Second Amendment rights of Upstate New Yorkers. He hopes the courts will find the NY SAFE Act unconstitutional and has also introduced legislation to repeal the SAFE Act in order to hold those who passed it accountable for their actions.

“We are approaching the one-year anniversary of the passage of the SAFE Act. This should renew all Second Amendment advocates’ deep resolve to get this unconstitutional law repealed. I have been working for the past year with Second Amendment advocates to organize our opposition to the law, and I will continue that fight in the coming year,” Hawley said.

Hawley is also pushing for a vote on his “Two New Yorks” bill. This legislation would allow counties to place an initiative on the ballot on whether the citizens want New York to be split into two states due to the divergent interests of Upstate and Downstate New York.

“Since the SAFE Act was rammed down the throats of the people of Upstate New York under the cover of darkness, the frustration with Downstate special interests has grown exponentially. When combined with the highest in the nation taxes and unending regulations imposed by Downstate bureaucrats, Upstate New Yorkers deserve to have their voices heard on whether or not they want to continue to be linked with Downstate New York,” Hawley said.

Here's Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer's response:

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has issued the following statement in response to Governor Cuomo’s State of the State Address:

“Today’s State of the State message made it clear that tax relief will be at the top of the to-do list. Enacting a property tax cap and reducing income tax rates has started the process of chipping away at New York’s high tax burden. Yet, New York State still finishes near last place when ranked by tax climate.

“That is why I am pleased that the Governor followed the lead of the report released by my colleagues in the State Senate to reduce, simplify and eliminate taxes across the board. Eliminating the tax rate for manufacturers in Upstate New York will enhance firms’ ability to invest, expand and create jobs. Accelerating the phase-out of the 18-A surcharge will put more money back in households’ wallets, while helping to keep energy costs down for businesses. I have been an advocate of these tax-relief initiatives for several years now.

“One of my major legislative priorities will be cutting taxes for all New Yorkers – small businesses, manufacturers, families, retirees, young professionals, property owners and seniors – at every level. Overall, tax relief with the farthest reach, and to as many New Yorkers as possible, will help to ensure a brighter, stronger and more prosperous economy for Western New York.”

Assemblyman Hawley is making good points here. Of course one of those points is "Hawley wants to see the governor actually deliver on his rhetoric "... well this applies to ALL in Albany. I hope to see Assemblyman Hawley step up another level in his pursuit, and don't leave us with more rhetoric.

I think it safe to distrust Cuomo for his propositions, he has proven that he is a snake who slithers towards his friends and special interests, and lies or reneges on his word. In fact my 1st thought when I heard of his plans to spend Billions on Buffalo, and bring all sorts of tax relief to Upstate, was simply that he knows how badly his re-election chances have been hurt, mainly because of the un-Constitutional SAFE Act madness, and so he's throwing us a bone.

52 of the 62 Counties in NYS {90% of our land mass} have gone on Record as being opposed to NY SAFE. And yet Albany thumbs it's nose at us!!!

Assemblyman Hawley and the other Assembly members of all those districts who have gone on Record in Opposition to the Safe ACT need to build a coalition. We need to; 1st defeat the SAFE Act... and then 2nd use the same strength in #s to show Albany that Upstate is pissed off, and we are not gonna be controlled by their clique of elite NYC Progressives any longer.

We have the numbers, we have the power, we just need to get involved and get it done!

I agree Brain... we have the numbers.Problem is these deals are made in back rooms among a few people..How many years have we all heard that property taxes are a problem and that they were going to do something about it..Nothing happens..Election year and Cuomo is talking lower taxes to get elected..What happened to the property tax rebate checks we were getting a before Cuomo got elected..He stopped them .Lets hope Ranzenhofer and Hawley do what they say they are going to do and lower taxes for all and not just for some..

tax break, tax cut, tax relief, tax cap. cute words. I have a question. does a 15 year property owner in genesee county qualify for any of this? I didn't think so, I'll finish writing out this check for my property taxes and mail it first thing in the morning.

after I wrote out that check I was sipping a cup of coffee and I figured I had to pay at least four (4) taxes to enjoy it. coffee=tax, mug=tax, coffee maker=tax, electric=tax and of course I paid the fees and taxes on the car and fuel that took me to the store to purchase the taxed items, it never ends.